Stock anchor for snagless continuous stock reeling operations



July 7, 1959 Filed April 3; 1956 B. H. DAVIS STOCK ANCHOR FOR SNAGLEZSS CONTINUOUS STOCK REELING OPERATIONS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 A v v s 1 I 2,893,652 AGLESS CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS y 7, 1959 B. H. DAVI STOCK ANCHOR FOR SN v STOCK REELING Filed April 5, 1956 1 i :EE

y 7, 1959 B. H. DAVIIS 2,893,652

s'rocx ANCHOR FOR SNAGLESS cou'rmuous STOCK REELING OPERATIONS Filed April 3, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 je mm/ewaws mmazzg T the-cross-over stock length between the reels.

United States Patent f) STOCK: ANeHoR FoRsNAoLnss fGONTINUOUS *=STOGK'REELINGBPERATIGNS Benjamin- H,--Davis,- 'Noank, Conm, assignorlto' The -Standard MachineryL Company, Mystic, ComL, a corporation of "Connecticut -This invention relates-to continuous multi-reel winding -Zappara-tus--in general; and-to multi-reel-apparatus of a -:continuous snaglessstock-winding typein particular.

Reel-winding apparatus of-the kind to which the present invention generally relates commonly hold two. adjacent=reels: of which one 'reel is -.driven and fully wound with -flexible--stock:"from a continuoussupplymnder' the control rof-a guide' which moves back and forth widthw'ise of the: reel to lead thestock onto the latter .in suc- 'cessive layers-of orderly arranged turns, whereupon the *Windi'ng'of the stock-"is without interruption continued on the-adjacent-second reel by quickly shifting the guide into operativerelation therewith to continue itszback and *forth'motion for the same-orderly'deposit ofstock onthe second: reel; ,Inthus quickly shiftingthe guide -into,operative relationvwithithe second .reel while'both reels are --driven, -the'guided stockris compelled .to cross over the "*adjacentendrims of the reelsand,- in consequence,=start its wind-on the-*secondweel. As soon-as -the stock is securely :anchoredto the second reel, a knife will :sever The drive of'the :full reel-is thereupon discontinued and thelatter is l removed from "the apparatus and replaced ,by an empty "reel While-the winding of'stockon the-:secondreel conatinues iuninterruptedly. 1 'When the-second reel hasbeen "fully "wound with stock, theguide is :quickly shifted .into i operative relationwith-the adjacentreplaced empty. reel which at that time is also driven, thereby-compelling zthe iguided stock to cross over from the second T661 .to the empty reel and start-its wind on-the latter,- the knifeagain severing the crossovers'tockbetweenboth reels and thereby releasing the second, fullmeel'forxreplacement in the "apparatus'ubyflanother empty reel. ThestQck-Winding :operation thus continues 'uninterruptedly and --reels in the apparatus are successively -.wound with stock and replaced -by 'empty' reels -to -bewound with stock, in the '--foregoing fashion, until -theapparatusis stopped or the 1 continuous supplysstock isexhausted.

For-releasable anchorage ofthe severed ends of the crossover stock to the respective reels, .recoursehas'liitherto--been hadto known .snaggers of thestock-Wedging type. -These prior snaggers are arranged on the outside of theadjacent end rims of reels-in' the windingapparatus,

each being essentially a disc with spaced peripheral ele-' ments whichform with the adjacent peripheral "edge of the-disc wedge-shaped notches that are open in'thenormal drive direction'of the reels. Thus, on crossover of the stock from one reel tothe other whileboth reel'sare driven, the peripheral elements on the snaggersnearest the crossover stock will engage and quickly defiect'the latter into the associated notches whereinthe" same 'will become firmly wedged and thus anchoredtothesnaggers. Accordingly, on subsequently severing the crossover stock between the two reels, the severed end thereof, which is anchored to the snagger on andconstitute's the trailing stock end of the full reel, is prevented from 'acting'as a potentially damaging .and hazardous whirling snag'end until the fullreel is'brought to a stop, 'while'the' other 2,893,652 i Patented July 7, l95

-severed end of thecrossover stockf'which is anchored to the snagger on and constitutes'the'leading stock en'd'for :the adjacentemptyreel,isnheld out of the latter andiconstitutes.the anchored .end of the stock'for its windionto the empty reel.

While these priorsnaggers of the stdck-wed'ging type'are satisfactory for-many stock winding operations, they. are not *sosatisfactory, and are ,evenunsuited, for other; stockwinding operations involving hig'li'win'ding speed'sior the 10 Winding of lighter and more'readily tearable stocks, 'or

. both. 1 This is due .to the fact that snaggers oftthe. stockwedging type are'inherently rather severe onlthest'o'ck; involvi,ngr.not only rather high compressive'stre'ssesi i short stock lengths but, more "importantly,Ialsoquite'sudl5aden and :severe bending, of. .the stock thereat, wherefore the stock is at its very anchorage to the snaggers subjected -.to-maximumlstresses which are considerably higher-Ethan .1 :those .inducedinthe. stock .during its wind on a reel. Also, the prior snaggers 'of'the'stoc'k-w'edging', type'require a vervfastshift of .the stock guide for crossing 'the:stock from one reel toI-the. adjacent reel in order lto anchor the stock to the snaggers on bothreels during 'lessthan shone .revolutionhof thelatter andthus prevent "hopeless entanglement of the stock in'the winder or even snapg=-pingnoflthe.rsame. This imperative requirementxof a very fast crossover'shift of the' stdck guide so that .the -snaggers on .both reels .catch the crossover'stock almost simultaneously .poses. a problem in .most' winders, and poses a particularly difiicultjproblem'in modern winders 3qninsswhichthe winding and also. the crossoverjmotions of the stock guide are caused advantageously by a driven screw-type spindle.

flltis. the :primary'aim and object of the present'inven- -.tion to providev wihdingapparatus 'of the aforementioned .-kind:in which the crossover stock between two'reels is .wsecurecl tosnaggersor anchor discs thereon, notbybeing -wedged' thereto as heretofore, but rather by beingwound thereon, :thereby not only obviating the aforementioned :severe. treatmentfof crossover stock by the prior snaggers 40 and offering vgreaterv assurance" for the secure anchorage of.the:stock to .thesnaggers, especially at higher winding -;-speeds-.orif...thestocksisnof alighter ormore readily -..-tearable.kind,.orboth, but also permitting a""crossover shiftofthe. stockguide'f-rom onereelto the next reel at amslowererate than was .pcrmi'ssiblewiththese priorsnaggers, and even at a rate at whichlits"windingas'well as .crossover..motions may readilybe' derived froma driven -screw=type spindle.

. Itis another objectfof thepresent invention toprovide 501the aforementioned anchor 'discson adjacenfreelsinthe -.wiriding..apparatus with stock windon.rims, and also'with ,peripheral tracks which. are in windaon relation with" successive lengths of the crossover stock and lead'thewound- Monstock onto .the respective rims, thereby placing'the'wind -.of.thezcrossover'stock onto the anchor'discs' under 'the control of the tracks on the latter'andznotunderthe con- 4 =-trol--of the crossing-over. stock guide, andithus'perniitting s the secure anchorage of the crossover stock 'tothe anchor discs by wind-on in the firstplace. It is a further objectof.thepresentinvention to-construct each'of the aforementioned anchor discs sothatthe stock wound:thereon will,- after 'severance'of-the cross- .over stock, remainsecurely' anchored" thereto even if the stock is so unwieldy thatth'e woundlength'thereofwould ordinarily notstay woundon the anchofidiscof itsown 'acco'rdbut would,"instead, unwindat least sufliciently to "lose its anchorage thereon 'oract as a-potenti'ally dangerous and damaging snagj Tothis endpeach-zlanchorfdisc has= provisions -for "efiect-ively i counteracting :any 1 and! all unwinding tendencies of even the:=mostunwieldyestock *wound thereon.

" 0ther =objeets and advantages willeappe'ar to those skilled in the art from the following, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings in which certain modes of carrying out .the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. l is a front view of stock-winding apparatus in which are mounted stock anchors embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section through the winding apparatus, taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the winding apparatus, taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken substantially the line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken. on the line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a reel and stock anchor unit embodying the present invention in a modified manner;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a reel and stock anchor unit embodying the present invention in another modified manner;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section through a modified stock anchor;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section through another modified stock anchor;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section through a reel and stock anchor unit embodying the present invention in a further modified manner; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section taken substantially on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the reference numeral 20 designates a continuous stock winding apparatus which in all essentials is, or may he, like the winding apparatus disclosed in the copending application of Nelson et al., Serial No. 565,636, filed February 15, 1956. Thus, the instant winding apparatus comprises a main frame 22 which carries the various operating devices of the apparatus. The main frame 22 comprises, in the present instance, opposite end brackets or castings 24 and 26 which are joined by parallel tie rods or bars 28 a-e and angles 30 and 32. The various operating devices of the apparatus are reel stands 36, stand operating devices 38, reel drives 40, a stock guide 42, guide operating means 44, stock severing means 46, and stock anchors 48.

The present apparatus comprises two stands 36, each for removably supporting a rotary reel R for winding continous stock s thereon. Reels on the stands 36 are successively wound with stock, and each full reel is replaced by an empty reel while the other reel is being wound with stock. Each stand is also shiftable into reel-winding and reel-exchange positions in which a reel thereon is free to turn above the floor or another support and is lowered thereonto for replacement by an empty reel. Since both stands are identical in their construction and performance, except that they are of left and right hand design (Fig. 1), only one of these stands, namely the stand 36A, will be described in detail. Thus, the stand 36A, which is preferably a casting, has opposite sidewalls 52 and a connecting front web 54 of which the lower ends of the sidewalls 52 terminate in spaced lugs or prongs 56 that are axially slidable and turnable on the foremost tie or frame bar 28:: near the bottom of the frame. The stand 36A is thus swingable on the frame bar 28a into the upright reelwinding position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and also into a forwardly inclined reel-exchange position (not shown) in which a fully-wound reel thereon rests with its end flanges r on the floor or another support for exchange with an empty reel in a manner to be described. The upper ends of the sidewalls '52 of the stand 36A terminate in rearwardly extended bearing lugs 58 holding antifriction bearings (Fig.3) in which a drive sleeve 62 is journalledf- The bearings 60 are kept lubricated by grease G from ad jacent seal rings 64 of any suitable type, the (grease sup-- ply therein being replenished from time to time through nipples 66 on and ducts 68 in the bearing lugs 58. Keyed at 70 to the drive sleeve 62 is a pulley or sheave 72 which extends between the bearing lugs 58 of the stand. Axially' slidable in the drive sleeve 62 is a reel spindle 74 which extends beyond the right side of the stand 36A, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, for removably supporting a reel R thereon. The reel spindle 74 may in any of an infinite number of axially adjusted positions in the sleeve 62 belocked to the latter for rotation therewith and against axial movement relative thereto. To this end, there is provided a collet 76 (Fig. 3) having longitudinally slit tapered jaws 78 which cooperate with a diametrcially enlarged and tapered end 80 of the bore 82 in the sleeve 62 in which the reel spindle 74 is slidably received. The collet 76 has a head 84 carrying bolts 86 which are threadedly received in the sleeve 62. Thus, the collet 76 will become firmly clamped to the sleeve 62 and to the reel spindle 74 when the bolts 86 are tightened. Conversely, on loosening the bolts 86, the collet 76 will release the reel spindle 74 for axial adjustment in the sleeve 62 as well as for retraction thereinto of the projecting reel-supporting length of the spindle 74 for reel-exchange purposes as described hereinafter. Keyed at 88 to the drive sleeve 62 is a coupling member 90 carrying a preferably radially adjustable pin 92 adapted to be received in a coupling aperture in the adjacent end flange r of a reel R on the spindle 74. The reel is thus releasably drivingly connected with the sleeve 62 and sheave 72 thereon through intermediation of the coupling member 90. Furthermore, the reel is retained axially on the spindle 74 and also in coupling relation with the pin 92 by means of a removable end collar 94 on the spindle. The end collar 94 is to this end provided with a transverse bore 95 in which is slidable a plunger 96 that is normally urged by a spring 97 into the lock position shown in Fig. 6 in which the same is in interlock with a peripheral groove 99 in the adjacent end of the 'reel spindle 74 and thus holds the end collar 94 fast on the latter. In order to release the end collar 94 for re-' moval from the reel spindle 74, the plunger 96 is retracted, against the compression of the spring 97, until aperipherally recessed portion 101 of the plunger aligns with the spindle 74 and thereby releases the former from interlock with the latter for axial removal of the end collar. The plunger 96 is to this end provided on its reduced shank 103 with a suitable knob 105.

For replacing a full reel on the spindle 74 of the stand 36A with an empty reel, the stand is first swung about the frame bar 28a, by power means to be described, into the aforementioned reel-exchange position in which the full reel rests on the ground, for instance. Next, the col let 76 (Fig. 3) is released from the spindle 74 and the end collar 94 removed from the latter, whereupon the spindle is retracted into the drive sleeve 62, to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, sufliciently to clear the reel. The full reel may now be rolled away and an empty reel rolled in place thereof, whereupon the spindle 74 is pro jected into and through the empty reel sufficiently to permit reattachment of the end collar 94 to the spindle adjacent the end rim r of the empty reel, subject to interposition therebetween of one of the stock anchors 48 to be described. On subsequently reclamping the collet 76 to the spindle 74, the stand may, by the aforementioned power means, be swung into its winding position (Figs. 1 and 2) for a stock Winding operation on the reel thereon.

The stand 36A may be locked to the frame bar 28a against axial movement from any one of an infinite number of axially adjusted positions thereon. To this end, there is provided an anchor bracket 98 which is axially slidable on the adjacent frame bars 23a and 28b and fittedly straddled by the bottom lugs 56 of the stand 36A (Fig. 1) so that the latter is slidable on the frame .ascaes a bar. 28a ..in-.- unison. .with Ithe. anchor bracket .98. :.The -.-.anchor bracket :98 is, vinuthe present. instance, provided with a jaw. element .100 which, .on tighteningandloosenswingonthe frame .bar.28a,. on :lockingtheanchor .bracket 98v to the latter.

I The power driveof a reel 'on :the stand36A- commences -...and..terminates on swingingthe-latter into and fromits upright winding position,x'respectively, in which the .sheave 72 is in driving relation with the associated reel drive 40A to-be. described. --In' order to 'avoid 'free :wheeling of a fully-wound .reel .on swinging the stand 36A from its winding position toward its exchange position, and especially when the :reel comesto rest on the floor .or another support, .the stand is-provided with an automatic reel brake 104 (Fig. 2) in-theform of an armwhich is pivoted at 106 tothe sidewalls .52. of the stand and extends :therebetween; :and is :provideda with a shoe 1% of rib-like formationsthat engage in the peripheral grooves 110 inthesheave 72 (Fig. 1) and apply a brake force to the latter,- and hence to the reel coupled thereto, when. the shoe 108 is in its-brake position (not shown). a The shoe 108 is normally urged into its brake position by a spring or springs 112 which connect the brake arm ltl4'with the bearing lugs 58 of the stand. The reel brake is rendered automatic .in its' action by virtueof thezprovision of an upstanding lug .114 on the anchor bracket 98 which is engaged by the lower end of the brake arm 104, and hence causes the same to shift out of braking relation with the sheave 72,

--when the stand is swung into its winding position .(Fig. 2), and whichreleases the brake arm for springreturninto braking relation with the sheave 72 when the stand is swung-from its winding position toward its it exchange position, as-w-ill'be readily understood. "The reel brake is thus releasedfrom the sheave 72 every time "the stand is swung into its winding position for imme- :-diate resumption of the power drive. of v a reel thereon,

and is effectively applied to the sheave 72 whenever the stand is swung toward its exchange'position so as to stop free-wheeling of a fully-woundreel thereon in any event before the same is lowered onto the floor.

As already mentioned, the other reel stand 3613 (Fig. 1) is in all respects identical with the described :reel'stand 36A, except that the stands are of left and 'right hand design. Thus, while the reel-coupling-mern: ber' 90iandthe reel-carrying projection of the spindle 74 are on the right side of the stand 36A as viewed in Fig. l,ithe reel-coupling member 96b and the reel-carrying projection of the spindle 74b. on the stand 363 are on;the left side of the latter as viewed in the same Fig. l. 'QertaiIYprQminentparts of-the reel stand-36B are identifiedin the drawings by the same r'eference numenals as .their counterparts of the stand 66A, except that the 'sufiix b is added thereto.

Since'the operating devices 38 of both stands 36A and 36B are identical, only one of them will be-descri'oed in detail,-namely the device 38A which is associated with the stand 36A (Figs. 1 and 2). Thus, thedevice 28A comprises a cylinder 126 and a pistontherein having a rod which is pivotally connected at 126 to rearwardly. .projecting ears 128 in one of the bearing lugs 58 of the stand, while'the cylinder-120 is pivotally connected with :the main frame 22. To the -latter end, the cylinder 120 is provided intermediate its ends with a fixed collar 130 having diametrically opposite trunnions 132 swivelled 6 in bars -134that are bolted or otherwise secured at 136 to the opposite sides of amounting bracket .138 which is freely slidable on the frame bars 28c-and 28d. In

7 thus vpivot'ally supporting the cylinder 120 with its centerofgravity nearthe collar' 130 thereon,' the same is more orless balanced regardless of thepositionoi the pistontherein.

In the present instance, the piston in the cylinder 120 is double-acting, wherefore the latter is provided-at-both ends 140 and'1'41 thereof (Fig '3) with fluid admission "and discharge ports (not shown) that communicate with asuitable valve (notshown) which is' operable, preferably manually under the control of an operator, to ad mit" fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, for

instance, into either cylinder end 140 or 141ahd simultaneously vent the other cylinder end. Thus, on admitting fluid under pressure into thecylinder end'140 and venting the other cylinder end 141, the stand 36A is swung into. its winding position (Figs; 1 and 2) in which the ears '128 on the stand 36A are held against the adjacent. end of the cylinder 120 by the piston therein.

' Conversely, on admitting fluid under pressure into the end 141 'of. the cylinder and simultaneously ventingthe other end 1 thereof, the stand '36A- will be swung into its exchange position.

Since the mounting bracket 138 of the standeoperating -device'38A is axially. 'slidable on the frame bars "280 and C2811, as described,--it stands to reason that thedevice 38A is axially. adju-stablein unison with the associated reel'stand- 36A. As already mentioned, the operating device 38B,-=which-is-. associatedwith the reel stand 36B, is in allrespectsidentical with the describedstaiid-operatkin-g device 38A. Prominent. parts of. the stand-operating device 383 areidentified in Fig; l by the same reference numeralsas their counterparts of the described operatwing -device..38A, except that the suifix b is added thereto.

The reel drives 40Aand 40B, which areassociated withthe reel stands" 36A and 36B, respectively, are identical in every respect, wherefore only one of these reel drives, namely the drive 40A, will-be described in detail. Before. proceeding with the detailed description -of the reel drive 40A, however, reference is hard to a 'drive element which is commonto both reel drives and -1's -inthe form of a drive shaft 150 journalled with its rality of belts 160- that drive thesheave 72 on the associated reel stand 36A-whenthe latter is in its winding position (Figs. land 2). The head sheave 156 is carried bythe drive shaft 150 for infinite axial adjustment thereon into-operative alignment with the sheave 72 on the reelstand 36A inany axially adjusted position of the latter, and isin-any-adjuSted position on the shaft locked thereto for rotation therewith through intermediation of a collet-162, for instance, which on tighteningand loosening of its associated bolts 164will act similarly as the described collet 76 (Fig. 3) when its associated bolts 86 are tightened and loosened. The lower or foot sheave 158 of the reel drive 40A is rotatably carried in one end of a tension arm 166 the other end of which is pivotally mounted at 168 in the anchor bracket 98. Springs-170, which are suitably anchored with their ends on the anchor bracket 98 and tension arm 166,. urge the latter in a direction to tension the belts 160. Thus, the tension arm 166 will straighten'the belts '160when the -reelstand 36A is swunginto its exchange position, and

will yield when the sheave 72 on thestand moves, on the swing of the latter into its winding position, intodriving engagement withand deflects the adjacent operating runs 172 of the belts in the fashion shown in Fig. 2.

Since the foot sheave 158 of the reel drive 40A is carried by the anchor bracket 98 in accurate operative alignment with the reel sheave 72 on the stand 36A, and since the anchor bracket and stand are axially adjustable in unison, as described, it follows that the reel sheave 72 and the foot sheave .158 will always remain in accurate operative alignment with each other despite axial adjustments of the stand. This is of considerable advantage in accomplishing axial adjustment of the reel stand 36A and of its associated reel drive 40A, inclusive of accurate alignment of the head sheave 156 of the latter with the foot sheave 158 thereof, for the latter will give an immediate and unmistakable indication of the exact extent of any required axial adjustment of the head sheave 156.

As already mentioned, the reel drive 40B, which is associated with the reel stand 36B, is in all respects identical with the described reel drive 40A. Prominent parts of the reel drive 40B are identified in Fig. 1 by the same reference numerals as their counterparts of the reel drive 40A, except that the suffix b is added thereto.

The stock guide 42 (Figs. 1 and 2) is adapted to lead continuous stock s in successive layers of orderly turns onto each of the reels R on the stands 36 in their winding positions, and also shift the stock from winding relation with either reel, when fully wound, into winding relation with the other reel, to the end of uninterruptedly winding stock on successive empty reels on their replacement for fully-wound reels on the stands. To this end, the stock guide is axially movably supported on 9. preferably cylindrical shaft or bar 176 which is mounted with its ends in the opposite end brackets 24 and 26 of the main frame 22 and extends parallel to the frame bars 28 ae, so that the guide may move thereon back and forth within the widthwise confines of either reel R on the stands and lead stock thereonto in successive layers of orderly side-by-side turns until fully wound, and may also move in either direction across the gap g between the reels (Fig. 1) in order to bring the stock from winding relation with either reel into winding relation with the other reel. More particularly, the guide 42 comprises slightly spaced rollers 178 between which the stock s passes and which are rotatably mounted on and extend forwardly from a carrier 180 that is vertically adjustable mounted at 182, 184 on a bracket 186 which is slidably supported on the bar 176. The guide 42 is moved on the bar 17 6 as abovementioned, by means of a threaded operating spindle 188, which forms part of the aforementioned guide operating means 44, and with which the guide bracket 186 is in threaded engagement, as at 190 in Fig. 2, so as to be in follower relation therewith and be moved thereby on the bar 176 in opposite directions on rotation of the operating spindle 188 in opposite directions, respectively. The operating spindle 188 is with its opposite ends journalled, in the present instance, in spaced bearing brackets 192 and 194 which are carried by the bar 176 and also secured, as by bolts 196 (Fig. 2), to the frame bar 282. The guide bracket 186 is in back thereof preferably provided with a roller or rollers 198 (Fig. 2) whch bear against the frame bar 28c and harmlessly transmit to the same any and all counterclockwise thrusts imparted to the guide bracket by the stock s on its forced downward draw between the guide rollers 178 onto a driven reel, thereby avoiding any harmful bending stresses in the operating spindle 188 from these operational thrusts of the guide bracket. In order further to protect the operating spindle 188 from clockwise thrusts from the guide bracket 186 (Fig. 2) that may accidentally be imparted to the latter, the guide bracket is also provided with a wear piece 200 which bears against, or is only minutely spaced from, the frame bar 28e.

As already mentioned, the stock guide 42 is, for the performance of either of its aforementioned functions of leading stock onto reels on the stands and also from winding relation with eitherreel into winding relation with the other reel, moved on the bar 17 6 on rotation of the oper ating spindle 188 in opposite directions. Since the stock guidev42 will move on the bar .176 much slower for a reelwinding operation than for crossover of the stock from either reel to the other reel, it stands to reason that the operating spindle 188 will have to be driven at different speeds for these purposes. To this end, the operating spindle 188 may have a slow or lay-traverse drive for reel-winding performances of the guide, and a fast or quick-shift drive for stock crossover performances of the guide. Since these lay-traverse and quick-shift drives of the operating spindle 188 do not form any part of the present invention, they are not shown, but may be like, or similar to those disclosed in the aforementioned copending application of Nelson et al. These referred-to drives are separate drives, of which the lay-traverse and quick-shift drives may include sprockets 202 and 204 on an extension 206 of the operating spindle 188 for their direct drive of the latter (Fig. 1).

The aforementioned stock severing means 46 comprises a knife blade 210 (Fig.2) having a cutting edge 212 and being mounted at 214 on an arm 216 which is carried by one end of a stub shaft 218, suitably journalled in a fixed base bracket 220 through which the frame bars 28a and 28b (see also Fig. l). The other end of the stub shaft 218 has mounted thereon, as at 222 (Fig. 2), an arm 224 which is pivotally connected at 226 with a clevis 228 on the outer end of a rod 230 of a piston in a cylinder 232. The cylinder 232 is pivotally connected at 234 with an arm 236 which is angularly adjustably mounted at 238 on the frame bar 288. The cylinder 232 is, in the presentinstance, of the single-acting type, having at its lower end a fluid admission and discharge port in communication with a conventional manually operable knife valve (not shown). On manipulating this knife valve to admit fluid under pressure, preferably compressed air, into the cylinder 232, the piston therein will move upwardly and, in consequence, move the knife blade 210, through intermediation of the rod 230, arm 224, shaft 218 and arm 216, from the inoperative or retracted position shown in Fig. 2 into an operative or projected position (not shown} in which its cutting edge 212 is in the path of crossover stock between the adjacent stock anchors 48 to be described, and will sever this crossover stock when the same is dragged around with these stock anchors. As soon as the crossover stock is thus severed, the operator releases the a forementioned knife valve, thereby intercepting communication between the cylinder 232 and its source of fluid under pressure and simultaneously permitting discharge of the fluid under pressure from the cylinder, whereupon a preloaded spring 240 between the latter and the clevis 228 on the piston rod 230 acts immediately to retract the knife blade 210 into its inoperative position (Fig. 2).

The apparatus described so far is in all essential respects like that disclosed in the aforementioned copending Nelson et a1. application, and does not form any part of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, the reels on the stands 36 are provided with the aforementioned stock anchors 48 which are primarily adapted to preclude possibly harmful, and in any event objectionable, snag action of the severed end of the wound stock on each full reel before the same can be brought to a stop. Since the stock anchors 48 are, in the present instance, identical in every respect, only one will be described in detail, namely the anchor 48A which is associated with the reel on the stand 36A (Figs. 1 to 5). To begin with, the anchor 48A is exchangeable on the reel so that it may be used in conjunction with subsequent reels to be placed on the stand 36A for stock winding purposes. To this end, the anchor 48A is, in the present instance, removably mounted on the reel spindle 74 and is releasably coupled to the associated reel. The anchor 48A is in the form of a disc or wheel, having a central hub 242 for its removable mounting on the reel spindle 74 between the adjacent end .flange r. of thereel and the removable .end collar 94. on .I thespindlellFig'. 3).'.f.1ntegr ally.connectedto. the hub 242 Lbya pluralityof radial .spokes2-44 is an annular border 1:246 which continues as a frusto-conical stock deflector 1 fiange-248. The. anchor148A is near. its hub 242.provided with a.projecting pin .2 50 which. is received in oneof 'the customary couplingapertures '252 in the reel R which is iofconventional construction '(Fig. 3). Secured to the annular border 246 of the anchor disc 48A,. as by rivets 13254,: for instance, are a plurality of equiangularly spaced brackets 2'56 providing ledges 258 which together form a stock windeon rirn'2'60 to which the stock deflector flange l 248-leads (FigL .3). The rim 2 60is, in the present in stance, Iof, polygonal wind-on outline (Fig. 5), this by virtue ofits formation by the sectional ledges 258- onv the brackets 2'56." Outwardly spaced from the ledges 258 onthe brackets 256 and joined thereto by connecting webs 261 arelugs or detents 262, respectively, which serve to 'fiblockanyapprecia'ble outward expansion, and hence unwinding, of a stock turn or turns on the wind-on rim, 260. To this end, 'the' detents 2'62 overhang the ledges -"2.58,-.a'n'd hence the wind-on rirn ffitl, not only throughout ...the width. thereof, but therebeyohdTFig'fIa) .so as to be throughout in'obstru'cting relation with a stock turn or .turns .onthe rim 260 on' their natural resilient outward expansion therefrom. Whilethe detents 262 thus overhang or extend over the wind-on.rim"'260 beyond its 7. entire width, theyterminate short of the deflector flange 248 to leave gaps g" therebetweenKFig'. 3). through which stock-s may pass to the rirri 269/ Preferably, the .detents 262 terminate adjacent portions of the deflector flange 248 which are: fairly close to the n'm 260 "(Fig 3) so as L- to-have the greater part of the widthofthisflan-ge available for wind-on of stock without interferencevfrornlthe 'fdetents'262. Furthermore; the detents 262 are prefer tlably inclined. inwardly toward thedeflector flange 248 sothat their outer surfaces 2'64'will serve to deflect stocklcd. thereto onto the flange 248 in order. t-obe-deflect'ed or redirected by the latter into winding relation 'With the rinf 260, while 'their inner surfaces 266 will-v serve as a shoulder or' shoulders which hook-like engage an expanded stockv turn or turns and securely hold them against outward escape through the gaps g to. form a snag. The detents 262 are on the inside provided with round-edged ribs'265 for a purpose described-herein- "after. The peripheral flange 24S and the outer taper-' "'disc 48A are *preferablyrnade of a light-weight metal' inthefirstplaceysuch as aluminumyfor instance, and *reinforcingribs"268 ('Figs. 2*and 3 )"may be resorted -'to in order to keepwallthickness'at arninimum. In ---addition, the spoke arrangementfiat-between the" hub "242'andthe annular-border formation 246" of the anchor "disc-goes far toward keeping'the weight of the latter at'aminimum.

"'Asalready'mentioned,"the anchor disc "48B, which is "associated with the'reel on'l'thestand'36B, is in all respectsidentical with the described anchor disc'48A." Such prominent parts of the anchor'disc 48B as appear in Fig. 1 'areidentified -by'the same reference nurnefals as ltheir counterparts 'of the anchor 'disc-'48A, save that 'thesuflix b is added thereto.

Let it now be assumed'that at the beginningof a con- Ltinuous stock winding operation the guide 42 leads stock s onto the first reel to be wound, for instance the reelR onthe stand 36A (Figs. land 3)',-in successive layers of orderly sideby-side turns t. Q 'lhe reel R is thendriven,

the reel R is fully wound with stock suitable control means (not shown), operated either.manua1ly or inany suitable automatic manner,-as by. astockmeasuringdevice, for instance, will then performfor the first .time in the winding operation. vThus, the control means which may belike those disclosed in the aforementioned copend- 'ing application of Nelson et 211., will then perform to render the lay-traverse drivecf the-guide operating-spindlelSS inoperative and simultaneously render operative the aforementioned quick-shift drive thereof which .in-

- eludes-the sprocket 204 on the. spindle extension-1206.

will iinmediatley be driven by the quick-shift drive in a direction to causequick motion of the guide 42 to the As a result thereof, and due to .preconditioning ofmthe control means just mentioned, the operating spindle188 wright asviewed in- Fig. 1. This change from lay-traverse .-the confines of the reel Rv and may. move in either direcdrive to quick-shift drive of the operating spindle 188 may take place while the guide 42.is anywhere within tion. .In the exemplary wound condition of-.the'reel R"in Fig. 1, the guide 42 has, at the changefrom-laytraverse drive to quick-shift drive of its operating spindle 188, proceeded to the left into near-approach to the end flange r of the reel, as is evidenced by thelastorderly stock-turns tl on the reel, and has then: reversed and ,proceeded at the higher'speed to the right (Fig. 1),as is a the right (Fig. l), crossesthe gap g between theifull reel R--.and 'the adjacentempty reel R which at that time is also driven from the associated drive- 40B. -.In' thuscrossrelation with the empty-reel R, anchoring the *stockito'ithe I latter near its left-hand'endtFig. l), in a manner to be described, and then -proce'eding,- on resumption .ofrrthe 1 operation 'of'its operatingspindle.1'88-by the-lay-traverse drive,-to. lead: the stock onto the reel Rrin successive layers -.of orderly side-by-side turns and-thus: resume: its

. ginning of-which is shown inFig. 1.

-zbetween thewreels R and R, a fewturns .zthereof wil'l sbecome wound onthe anchor disc 148A, trand. alsozonnthe 1 adjacent anchor 'disd- 48B;- before the stock: reaches ;the

empty reel R .and becomesaanchored 'thereto. i Further- 1 more, .after the stock s has crossed the gap g and beand 48B is severed by the knife 210, allas more fully across-the smaller. gap between: the :anchor discs' 48A explained hereinafter. 1';The stock s.becomeswound','first on the'anchor disc"48A,'when the. stock, 'on the described quick=shift of'the guide 42, to the. right (Fig. 1), crosses ,.guide deflected away: from the reel flange r sufiiciently the end 'flange r"of thexfullrreel R5 and is by theshifting to i'bexcarriedaround with the latter. -'When-=the stock is;thus.being'carriedzaround with thereel flange r", the

:pending onv the: relativespeeds ofthe driven reel R and same is crossed over. the latterand is theninwinding relationwith theanchori disc 48A for a brief period, de-

. :of the quick-shifting guide 42.and also on.the adjustment '0f'.the guide carrier ,on" theguidexbracketw 186* in more or -less close proximityv toitherreels R5. and. R. saIn anyevent; as-the stock has crossed the end flange n'aof the full. reel R, thesame will first contact the outer surface or surfaces 264- ofone or more of. the detents-262-onthe which in turn,.cams or deflects the stock into WiHdjrOIl relation with the rim 260. The stock thus being led to ,the rim 260 of the anchor disc 48A will contact the detents 262 thereof only for the briefest period and will almost immediately shift into sole contact with the deflector flange 248 on its continued shift to the right (Fig. 1) by the quick-shifting guide 42, the deflector flange 248 then cumming or deflecting more of the stock onto thewind-on rim 260 of the anchor disc 48A so that ordinarily several, more or less, stock turns 13 are wound on the latter before the stock is, on continued quick progress of the guide 42 to the right, sufficiently deflected away from the flange 248 of the anchor disc 48A to be carried around therewith. As the stock is thus being carried around by the flange 243 of the anchor disc 48A, the

stock length between it and the guide 42 intersects theconfines of the adjacent anchor disc 48B and, hence, is carried against the deflector flange 248b of the latter (Fig. l) and cammed thereby into wind-on with the rim 26017 thereof to deposit a few, more or less, stock turns t4 thereon, there then remaining extended between the deflector flanges of both anchor discs a crossover stock length (not shown) which continues to spin around with the latter on the reels R and R which are driven at the same speeds due to the common drive shaft 150 of the reel drives 40. As the stock is drawn still further to the right by the quick-shifting guide 42, one of the detents 2621) of the anchor disc 48B will catch the stock and take it around with it, whereby the stock is deflected over the adjacent end flange r of the empty reel R and into winding relation with the latter.

Usually, the aforementioned control means for the lay-traverse and quick-shift drives of the guide operating spindle 188 are so arranged that the guide 42 is, at the end of its quick-shift to the right, slightly within the confines of the empty reel R, near or in the position shown in Fig. 1, so as to have wound a few initial stock turns of larger than normal pitch on the empty reel. The control means then act to render the quick-shift drive of the guide-operating spindle 188 inoperative and simultaneously render its lay-traverse drive operative, the guide 42, by preconditioning of the lay-traverse drive, then proceeding at the slower speed to the left as viewed in Fig. l to the end flange r of the empty reel to wind orderly side-by-side stock turns on top of the initially wound stock turns of greater pitch and thus firmly anchor the latter to the empty reel. As the stock s from the guide 42 thus reaches the end flange r' of the empty reel R, the lay-traverse drive of the guide operating spindle 188 reverses in the usual manner so that the guide now proceeds to the right (Fig. l) for orderly winding of the first full layer of stock on the reel. As the stock reaches the opposite end flange r of the reel, the lay-traverse drive of the guide operating spindle 188 again reverses and the guide 42 will then move in the opposite direction for the deposit of the next full layer of stock on the reel.

The lay-traverse drive thus continues to reverse at the proper times until the reel is fully wound.

As soon as the stock s has become anchored to the right reel R (Fig. l) in the above-described manner, the operator will actuate the aforementioned knife valve in order to cause the piston in the cylinder 232 (Fig. 2) momentarily to project the knife 210 into the path of the crossover stock between the spinning anchor disc 48A and 48B to sever the same. The severed ends e and e of the wound stock turns t3 and r4 on the respective anchor discs 48A and 48B, while in most cases outside the detents 262 and 26212 of the latter as shown in Fig. 1, are relatively\short and in any event too short to form potentially harmful snags, and these severed stock ends are kept short despite unwinding tendencies of the stock turns on the anchor discs due to their partial elastic recovery from their wound condition. Thus, while partial elastic recovcry of the stock turns on the anchor discs 48A and 483 will result in some outward expansion of one or more of these stock turns (Fig. 5), such outward expansion is restricted by the detents 262 which, by their hook-like arrangement (Fig. 3) moreover prevent lateral expansion or escape of the stock turns through the gaps g between the detents and adjacent stock deflector flanges 248, wherefore these stock turns cannot possibly add to the lengths of their short free severed ends e and e. Of course, as soon as the crossover stock between the anchor discs 48A and 48B has been severed, as described, the operator will actuate the proper control valve for the cylinder of the stand-operating device 38A (Fig. 2) in order to cause a swing of the reel stand 36A fromits illustrated winding position into its reel-exchange position and thereby also cause disengagement of the reel sheave 72 from the associated reel drive 40A, so that the full reel R will not turn overly long after the crossover stock is severed. After swinging the stand 36A into its exchange position, the end collar 94 on the reel spindle 74 is removed and the collet 76 released (Fig. 3) in order to permit retraction of the spindle from the anchor disc 48A and full reel R, whereupon the few stock turns on the anchor disc may readily be removed therefrom through the gaps g and placed on the full reel. Removal of the stock turns from the anchor disc is facilitated by the aforementioned round-edged ribs 265 on the inside of the detents 262 which help to cam the wound stock toward the gaps g for their removal therethrough on laterally drawing the stock therefrom. The full reel may then be rolled away and an empty reel rolled in place thereof, whereupon the reel spindle 74 is projected through the empty reel and also through the empty anchor disc 48A which in the meantime has been releasably coupled to the reel, the end collar 94 being then replaced on the reel spindle 74 and the latter shoved to the left (Fig. 3) in order to retain the coupling member 90, the empty reel and the anchor disc 48A in end-to-end engagement and coupled relation with each other, the collet 76 being finally reclamped to lock the reel spindle in place. The operator then actuates the proper valve to cause the stand 36A to be swung into its winding position for the drive of the empty reel thereon so that the latter is ready to receive the crossover stock at the end of the stock winding operation on the reel R on the stand 36B (Fig. 1).

At the end of the stock-winding operation on the reel R on the stand 36B, the aforementioned control means for the lay-traverse and quick-shift drives of the guide operating spindle 188 again act, in the same manner as described hereinbefore but for motion of the guide 42 in the opposite direction, to cause crossover of the stock from the reel on the stand 363 to the empty reel on the stand 36A and intermittent winding of a few stock turns successively on the anchor discs 48B and 48A, with the stock turns deposited this time on the anchor disc 48B being superposed on the stock turns t4 deposited thereon on the previous stock crossover from the preceding full reel on the stand 36A to the present reel on the stand 36B. As soon as the stock has at the end of its crossover to the empty reel on the stand 36A been anchored to this empty reel, the crossover stock between the anchor discs 48A and B is severed on actuation of the knife 210, and the operator may then actuate the proper valve to cause the stand 36B to be swung into its reel-exchange position for the exchange of the full reel thereon with an empty reel, and also removal of the initially and finally wound stock turns from the anchor disc 48B and releasable reassembly of the latter with the exchanged empty reel. The stock winding operation of the apparatus thus continues uninterruptedly until the apparatus is stopped or the continuous stock exhausted, the fully-wound reels on the stands being all the while replaced by empty reels and the anchor discs exchanged on the reels, as explained.

It follows from the preceding that during a continuous winding operation of the apparatus the anchor discs 48A and 48B receive both, leading and trailing ends of the stock wound on each reel, except that the anchor disc on the reel first wound in the overall winding operation re- .eeives only a trailing end of the stock wound on this reel. Thus, while in previous continuous winding operations of pothistype, i.e. without the present anchor: discs 48,..the trailing ends of the. stock on successively wound reels were exposed :but the leading :ends thereofwere .buried. under the wound stock, the use of the present anchor discs. in a .-continuous winding operation leaves :exposedwboth the s leading and trailing ends of the stockon. all butthe first of the successively wound reels, :and this is an. important advantage in-that it permits certaintests of thestock'lwhile the :same remains reeled. Thus, if thestock is insulated conductive wire the same may be subjected .to'the wellknown spark test to check it for a possiblebreak .while u it is-woundon a reel, theready-accessibility ofthe opposite endsof the wound stock being fully adequate for purpose, as well as for other purposes, such as testing the-woundwire for a break in-its insulation by the equally well-known water test, for instance.

"While the anchor discs 48in Fig. lare shown ashaving stockwind=on diameters which are only slightlyr-z tsmaller lthan the maximum stock diameter on. the fullywound. reelR', the wind-on diameters of the anchor discs =-farepreferably quite substantially smaller than themaxifimum-stockdiameters on thewound reels if thestock is in a continuous reel winding operation payed-outto the guide .42'from a dancer column, asaforementioned. -In that case,-the anchor discs are advantageously dimen- -sionecl so .that'their wind on diameters are substantially midway between the maximum and minimumstockdiameters. on-their associatedreels, or are at least consider-e ably smaller'andconsiderably larger than the maximum and minimum stockdiameters, respectively, on these areels -(Fig. 3). In thusdimensioning the anchor discs respecting their wind-on diameters in relation to the maxi- -::mum. and minimum stock diameters on their associated reels, there is introduced in continuous stock reeling oper ations a substantially even step-by-step changeover from -'one extreme wind-on diameter to the other extreme wind- .--.on. diarneter, i.e. maximum diameter and minimum di- ---.ameters,- with which the stock is confronted on each-shift or switch from a fully wound reel to an empty reel. This recurring changeoverin substantially even steps from ome extreme wind-on diameter to the other extreme ---wind-on diameter is highly advantageous in continuous -.--stock reeling'operations which'are under dancer column more particularly in. half-lengths, or near half-lengths r which'are taken up by the dancer column, one at atime, with sufficient-rapidity to avoid all but momentary stock assembled reel andv anchor .unit .292: of which-.theianchoi disc' 294 is cast inone piece,-..to-the..inclusion.'ofhthe angularly. spaced detents .296. =Moreover,..the stock windon rim 298 may be truly cylindrical, this in contrast to the polygonal wind-on outline of the.rirru260 of the previously described anchor disc 48A (.Fig. 5)- which may be H preferred for the anchoragefof more unwieldly- StOCkf'bY virtue of a lesser tendencyof polygonally woundastock to unwind. Also, the detents 296may, ifdesired, be asingle continuous detent of frusto=conical flange shape, though separate angularly-spaced".detents:arepreferable due to their before-described advantageous catch action on a severed stock. end.

T- Fig. 9 shows part 'of an anchor disc 300- which may in all respects be like the previously. described anchor disc 48A (Fig. 3), except that-the wind-on. nim 302 ofthe present anchor disc is cylindrical throughout, being formed in this instance by the periphery of the. flanged disc or Wheel .304 to which areseeured, as by rivets 306, equianangularly spaced brackets 3ll8- which aprovidethede- .tent's"3-10.

Figl l-O shows part ofian anchor disc 312 which differs fromthe other described anchorldiscs :by having a wedge action on wound stock for its releasable.anchorage-there on. Tothisv end, the instant'disc 312. has a peripheral 'groove'314 of. generally V'-shaped: cross: section which is preferably'of a smallerwedge angle at itscapex 316. The 1 present. anchor disc? 312, relying on. a wedgeaction on elastic recovery tendencies.

detents (not shown) overi the wind-on apex 316 of:.the

. peripheral groove 314 to catch wound stockif the same should escape from 'the wind-on...apex- 316 andatend. to unwind.

Figs. 11, and12 show part of a'reelcand anchor-unit l 320 of which theanchor disc 322 is not.-only.-releasably A coupled to the adjacent end flange324of the reel-326 by a couplingpin (not shown), but.isualso-releasablyattached thereto, in-which caselthe .reelspindle is not required for the releasable. supportofthe anchor disc as in Fig. .3, and the anchoridiscmay. releasably beassembled with the empty reel while oif-I-either :reel stand of-the apparatus] (Fig 1).a'nd both .may,nas aunit, -beplaced on either reel stand. To this end, .eachreel 326 with whichthe anchor disc '322 is to beassociated mayhave suitably secured to its..end'. flange 324. a ring-shaped mounting boss3'28 'of L -shaped. cross. section having in its inwardly extending front leg-330 a plurality of radial slots'332, such as two diametricallyopposite slots, for instance, of whichone is.shown.. Adapted to 'be passed slackening which in any event is so slight as clearly to ,i-precludeany stockentanglement, or entanglement of the l bolt for bringing its head 3334mm and from k.. i ht f h j dj apparatus, i hi or; .1nterl0ck wlth the front leg-330 ofthe mountingboss '328. itho t h d 1 -Each .lock bolt .336 may. be provided -with a follower 1 described releasable assembly fth anchor strap 342 on an eccentric 344 on a stub shaft 346 which is discs with successive reels to-be-Wound is highly advan- 'fllfnable With itsiel'lds-in spaced'lugsais 011 {he-31191101 =tage0usfor the reason'that only a few, and in fact only disc-322.: Pinned at350tothestub shaft -346 is a handle two, anchor discs are requiredfor a dual-reel apparatus of '352 by means of which to turn the eccentric 344, in-one the-continuous stock winding type whilepermittingthe direction todraw the'head 338 of the bolt 336 intovfirrn use of existing reels which are-entirely conventional. in locking engagement with the front leg 330 of the mount- 1 their construction and require no change whatever for ingboss 328, and in the opposite direction to retract'the their adaptation to the anchor discs, it is, of course, fully bolt head rearwardly therefrom sufiiciently for its swing awithin the purview of the present invention to provide from operative alignment therewith for the release of the :szeach reel with a fixed anchor disc if this should be desired =anchordiso from the'reel, as will be readily understood. I for:any.good reason. Thus, Fig. 7 shows a permanently The periphery 354 of thev mounting boss 328 serves for-the assembled unit 280 of a reel 282 and an anchor. disc-284 accurate'location and support of the anchor disc 322 :on of which the latter is permanently mounted, as by rivets the reel 326, while thehand-operated lock bolt 336 and its ,czss wth dj t 'endflange 288 fth l-282. The diametrical counterpart on the anchor disc servereleasanchordisc 284 may in all respects be "like the described y 106k {he latter 41151661- --'anchor disc 48A (Fig. 3 'except'that the presentanchor The inVentiOn m y be Carliedblltin th Specific ways disc is devoid of a coupling pin and also of a-central than those herein set forth without departing-from-tthe hub, and is, instead, provided with a mounting :boss 2%. spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and 'Fig. 8 :showstfan alternative form of. a--permanently.- the present embodiments are,..therefore, to beconsidered :into and from each slot 332 is the shank334 of a T-shaped in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. In continuous stock winding apparatus, the combination with a pair of spaced reel stands having spindles pro ecting from their adjacent sides, rotary reels removably mounted on said spindles in spaced end-to-end relation with each other, separate drives connectible with and disconnectible from said reels, respectively, a guide operable to lead flexible stock onto either reel and cross the stock from either reel over to the other reel, and a knife operable to project into the path of crossover stock to sever the same, of stock anchors on and turning with the adjacent ends, respectively, of said reels on opposite sides of the projected knife, each anchor having a pcripheral rim, a peripheral track in wind-on relation with crossover stock and arranged to lead wound-on stock onto said rim for its wind thereon, and means engaging the stock on said rim and releasably retaining it on the latter in wound-on fashion after severance of the cross- -over stock, said track being also arranged to lead the wound-on stock thereon past said stock engaging means. 2. The combination in continuous stock winding apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said peripheral rim of each of said anchors is of a diameter approximately halfway between the maximum and minimum stock diameters, respectively, on the reels when fully wound.

3. In continuous stock winding apparatus, the combination with a pair of spaced reel stands having spindles projecting from their adjacent sides, rotary reels removably mounted on said spindles in spaced end-to-end relation with each other, separate drives connectible with and disconnectible from said reels, respectively, a guideoperable to lead flexible stock onto either reel and cross the stock from either reel over to the other reel, and a knife operable to project into the path of crossover stock to sever the same, of stock anchors on and turning with the adjacent ends, respectively, of said reels on opposite sides of the projected knife, each of said anchors having a peripheral rim, a shoulder outwardly spaced from and extending over said rim widthwise thereof, and a peripheral track in wind-on relation With crossover stock,

of which said track is arranged to lead wound-on stock.

past said shoulder and onto said rrim for its wind thereon, and said shoulder serves releasably to retain the stock on said rim substantially in wound-on fashion after severance of the crossover stock.

4. In continuous stock winding apparatus, the combinae.

tion with a pair of spaced reel stands having spindles projecting from their adjacent sides, rotary reel-s removably mounted on said spindles in spaced end-to-end relation with each other, separate drives connectible with and disconnectible from said reels, respectively, a guide opere.

able to lead flexible stock onto either reel and cross the stock from either reel over to the other reel, and a knife operable to project into the path of crossover stock to sever the same, of stock anchors on and turning with the adjacent ends, respectively, of said reels on opposite sides of the projected knife, each of said anchors having a peripheral rim with an outwardly tapering end flange remote from the respective reel forming with said rim in obtuse angle, and a shoulder outwardly spaced from and extending over said rim widthwise thereof, of which said 6. The combination in continuous stock winding apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which said shoulder of each of said anchors extends circumferentially of said trim and is externally tapered to form with said flange a cross-sectionally funnel-shaped peripheral wind-on groove leading to said rim.

7. The combination in continuous stock Winding apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which said rim is of polygonal wind-on outline.

8. The combination in continuous stock winding apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which said shoulder is formed in sections arranged circumferentially of said rim in equiangularly spaced fashion.

9. In continuous stock winding apparatus, the combination with a pair of spaced reel stands having spindles projecting from their adjacent sides, rotary reels removably mounted on said spindles in spaced end-to-end relation with each other, separate drives connectible with and disconnectible from said reels, respectively, a guide operable to lead flexible stock onto either reel and cross the stock from either reel over to the other reel, and a knife operable to project into the path of crossover stock to sever the same, of stock anchors on and turning with the adjacent ends, respectively, of said reels on opposite sides of the projected knife, each anchor having a peripheral groove of V-shaped cross section for Wind-in of crossover stock in wedged condition in the bottom thereof for its releasable retention therein after severance of the crossover stock.

10. An exchangeable reel unit for stock winding apparatus with a reel drive, comprising a reel adapted to-be wound with flexible stock and having opposite end flanges and means for its removable rotary mounting in the apparatus in releasably coupled relation with the reel drive thereof, and a stock anchor having means for its freleasable coupling to one of said end flanges on the outside thereof, said anchor having a peripheral rim, a peripheral track adapted to lead stock onto said rim for its wind thereon, and means adapted to engage stock on said rim and releasably retain it on the latter in wound-on fashion, said track being also arranged to lead stock thereon past said stock engaging means.

11. An exchangeable reel unit for stock winding apparatus as set forth in claim 10, in which said reel and anchor have central hubs for their separate removable rotary mounting in the apparatus.

12. An exchangeable reel unit for stock winding apparatus asset forth in claim 10, in which said anchor is releasably attached to said one reel flange.

13. A stock anchor, comprising a member having a rotary axis, a wind-on rim on said member about said axis, a peripheral track on said member adapted to lead onto said rim for its wind thereon flexible stock led to said track transversely of said axis, and means adapted to engage stock on said rim and releasably retain it on the latter in wound-on fashion, said track being also arranged to lead stock thereon past said stock engaging means.

14. A stock anchor, comprising a member havinga rotary axis, a wind-on rim on said member about said axis, a shoulder on said member outwardly spaced from and extending over said rim widthwise thereof, and a peripheral track on said member, of which said track is arranged to deflect flexible stock led thereto transversely of said axis past said shoulder and into wind-on relation with said rim, and said shoulder is adapted releasably to retain the stock on said rim substantially in wound-on fashion.

15. A stock anchor, comprising a member having a rotary axis, a wind-0n rim on said member about said axis, a flange on said member tapering outwardly from one end of said rim and forming with the latter an obtuse angle, and a shoulder on said member outwardly spaced from and extending over said rim widthwise thereof, of which said flange is adapted to cam flexible stock led 17 thereto transversely of said axis onto said rim for its wind thereon and said shoulder is adapted to block appreciable self-unwinding of the stock from said rim.

16. A stock anchor as set forth in claim 15, in which said shoulder extends also over part of said flange widthw ise thereof and is spaced therefrom sufiiciently to admit stock therebetween.

17. A stock anchor as set forth in claim 15, in which said shoulder extends circumferentially of said rim and is externally tapered to form with said flange a crosssectionally funnel-shaped peripheral wind-on groove leading to said rim.

18. A stock anchor as set forth in claim 15, in which said rim is of polygonal wind-on outline.

19. A stock anchor as set forth in claim 15, in which the surface of said shoulder facing said rim is crosssectionally hook-shaped to gather stock tending to unwind from said rim.

20. A stock anchor as set forth in claim 15, in which said shoulder is formed in sections arranged circumferentially of said rim in equiangularly spaced fashion.

21. A stock anchor as set forth in claim 15, in which said shoulder is formed in sections arranged circumferentially of said rim in equiangularly spaced fashion, and said shoulder sections are externally tapered to form with said flange a cross-sectionally funnel-shaped peripheral wind-on groove leading to said rim.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,393,286 Hosford Oct. 11, 1921 2,536,126 Dale Jan. 2, 1951 2,546,637 Robson Mar. 27, 1951 2,583,933 Elder Jan. 29, 1952 2,626,111 Hanson Jan. 20, 1953 2,763,442 Bruestle Sept. 18, 1956 

